Few people are as remarkably active—and truly human—as Gary Player in the vast arena of professional sports, where records stand still and strength wanes. The legendary South African golfer has once again captivated the public’s attention at the age of 89. This time, though, it’s not due to a Champions Tour accomplishment or a lengthy drive. Rather, it’s something much more delicate, but no less amazing: he has a new girlfriend.
Her name is Susan Waterfall. She is an 83-year-old widow from New York who has a remarkable zest for life and a long history in finance. With humor, a common passion, and a rhythm as organic as the swing player’s decades-honed style, they are rewriting the story of friendship in later life.
Gary Player & Susan Waterfall: WordPress-Formatted Personal and Career Table
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Gary James Player |
| Date of Birth | November 1, 1935 |
| Current Age | 89 years (as of 2025) |
| Nationality | South African |
| Known As | The Black Knight, Mr. Fitness |
| Profession | Retired Professional Golfer, Golf Course Designer |
| Major Wins | 9 Major Championships (including Career Grand Slam) |
| Former Spouse | Vivienne Player (married from 1957 until her death in 2021) |
| Children | 6 (Marc, Wayne, Jennifer, Amanda, Michele, Theresa) |
| New Girlfriend | Susan Waterfall |
| Partner’s Background | American widow, retired finance executive, based in New York |
| First Encounter | 2024, Shell Bay Club, Miami |
| Shared Interests | Golf, reading, fitness, opera, fishing, travel |
A Fortuitous Meeting That Seemed Almost Fortuitous
Gary was reportedly not looking. Indeed, several friends had unsuccessfully attempted to introduce him to Susan months prior. However, in a wonderfully natural turn of events, the moment finally came on the Shell Bay Club putting green in Miami. Player joked, “I put my arm around her and said, ‘I’ve got to have an American girlfriend,'” describing a sweet and memorable moment.
She gave a similar response two days later. Uncanny timing prevailed. What about the chemistry? Immediately. They clicked right away over a wide variety of interests, from opera to ocean fishing, which suggests that this wasn’t just a spark but a fire waiting to ignite.
Beyond Romance: A Renaissance of Viewpoint
Player has been candid in recent months about how this relationship has given him new life. He couldn’t help but smile as he teed off with his grandson at the 2024 PNC Championship. “I said I would be content to live to be ninety-one. Maybe I’ll go for 100 now that I’ve met Susan,” he chuckled.
Their union feels incredibly successful in changing the perception of aging in a society where it is frequently viewed as a decline. Susan’s presence has significantly enhanced Gary’s daily life, both mentally and emotionally. Even for someone who has already mastered the greens of Augusta and St. Andrews, the structure, camaraderie, and joy she offers have created a new kind of drive.
Why There Is Such a Deep resonance in this relationship
Seeing two people in their eighties discover joy—not out of need, but out of mutual curiosity—is especially inventive. This isn’t about wealth or reliance, as the player has made very clear. She’s wealthy. I’m wealthy. He stated with a refreshing and disarming honesty, “We’re here because we like each other.”
Gary and Susan are subtly revising what it means to age with vitality by accepting love as a lifelong journey rather than a chapter that ends in widowhood. Their relationship demonstrates that time only strengthens the need for connection rather than diminishing it.
From the Gym to Gleneagles: An Active Joint Way of Life
Dinners and golf clubs haven’t been the extent of their adventures. Soon after they connected, the couple took a fishing trip to Scotland. Gary continues to exercise four times a week and proudly flaunts his abs during interviews. In contrast, Susan matches his energy level step for step. That degree of vitality in both partners feels incredibly dependable—a reminder that pace, purpose, and passion are just as important as age in determining compatibility.
They have developed a truly uplifting relationship through common routines, habits, and worldviews. It is based on organic alignment and mutual admiration; it is neither dramatic nor headline-chasing.
A Love Story Encased in a Life Lesson
Gary’s resiliency on the course and his willingness to discover new joy in the face of loss are remarkably similar. He doesn’t back down when things go wrong; instead, he adjusts. Because of that mentality, he is not only a titan in golf but also a very likable person off the field.
He remarked, “Love keeps us alive.” “It keeps us on the go.” Those words have a lot of weight because they come from a man who has walked fairways with unwavering discipline for his entire life.
Toward the Future: Love as an Everlasting Game
Susan is anticipated to accompany Gary in the upcoming years as he continues to design golf courses and coach the next generation—not as a supporting character, but as a partner. Their tale serves as a masterfully narrated parable about the beauty of reinvention, the tenacity of the heart, and the reality that life, when fully experienced, never ends. It changes.
